I am, er, was in a metal band and we had our last show this evening. We played with some amazing talent tonight and I got the change to shoot. All of the bands were metal to death metal and nothing an ounce lighter.
-joshua

I really like them! I've tried shooting bands, but with very limited success. Mind sharing the technical info? Lens, exposure, etc. Was lighting what was already there?

Sam

Sure. I shoot with a 10D and a Vivitar 285 External flash and sync cord.
I used two different lens, one is a 17-28 tamron (perfect for shooting this sort of thing) and a 28-70 tamron to get those up-close personal shots like #2. I was shooting 1/60th @ 3.5-4 depending on the color of the band members shirts and skin tones. It was completely dark in the venue. I hold the flash on my left hand and aim it either at the ceiling (#2) on the floor (#1) and manaully adjust the focus (since it's too dark to focus on anything) using the ft/meter labels on the lens. And what helps the most is being a drummer myself. Timing is citical since these people are throwing their instruments around and moving a whole lot. But, of course, they do it all within the timing of the songs. The challenge is holding the flash correctly while making sure you are in focus and then watch the faces and hair and where the other members of the bands are in the picture and what they are playing ...when all of the stars are in alignment...shoot.